So Genesis 44, and for about a year or so, we have gone through the life of Joseph in the book of Genesis. And so every time I think, well, I think I can do this in one sermon, a chapter, but it's always more than I think there is. So at this point, we're in chapter 44. and where Joseph is kind of tricking his brothers. And we'll start in verse 1. And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, fill the man's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money into his sack's mouth. And he put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. and he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken. As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses. And when they were gone out of the city, not yet far off, Joseph said unto the steward, Up, follow after the men. And when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good? Is not this in which my Lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? Have you done evil? You have done evil in so doing. And he overtook them and spake unto them these words. And they said unto him, wherefore said my lord these things? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing. Behold the money which we found in our sack's mouth we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan. How then should we steal out of thy lord's house silver and gold? with whomsoever thy servants it be found. Both let him die, and we also will be my Lord's bondsmen. And he said, now also let it be according unto your words. He with whom it is found shall be my servant, and ye shall be blameless. Then they speedily took down every man's own sack to the ground, and opened every man's his sack. And they searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin's sack. Then they rent their clothes, and laid it every man his ass, and returned to the city. And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph's house, for he was yet there. And they fell before him on the ground. And Joseph said unto them, what deed is this that ye have done? What ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine? And Judah said, what shall we say unto my Lord? What shall we speak? How shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants. Behold, we are my Lord's servants, both we and also with whom the cup is found. Let us pray before we open the word. Heavenly Father, we once again ask you to open our eyes, Lord, and give me energy and wisdom to speak, Lord, and that the words that were prepared would fall upon our hearts and speak to us. In Jesus' great name we pray. Amen. So the last time in chapter 43 we saw it ending with a great feast with joseph and his brother And of course, they still don't know who this man is Uh, he's in their eyes a bit of a strange guy, you know, he's asking questions. He seems to know him a little bit but they had it ended all in a great feast and simeon who was left behind a few months before his rejoined him. So it was a happy reunion and Benjamin was taken. He had demanded that Benjamin would come as well and his father had reluctantly sent Benjamin out on the journey as well. And it all went well and all was looking very good. Now Joseph is going to test his brothers one more time and carefully wants to observe their reaction when their father's beloved Benjamin is threatened. and with the threat of being taken away and set things up in such a way that Ben will be set up as a thief and stealing from the Prime Minister of Egypt. And as we briefly noted last time, in case you have plans for your family members or friends, this is not a license to set up trickery or to put, you know, kids to have 20 bucks drop out of your pocket and see what your brother does with it. It is not a license to do so. We do not set traps or under false pretense by craftiness figure out someone's sins. When we confront a brother and sister we have now the full counsel of God and we have reasonable evidence we can confront them in a proper way as it's laid out in his word and not out of revenge. Do we do that but out of love for their well-being? Love or charity, says the Apostle, is not suspicious. And we have to keep that in mind when we read this account. Nevertheless, we know that Joseph had his brother's welfare in mind. And he had reason for some rigid testing. And he desired to see a true evidence of their repentance. and of the sorrow of what they had done. Calvin puts it, he said, he had found them exceedingly cruel and deceitful. And he does not believe them yet that they had changed for the better until he has obtained a thorough perception and conviction of their penitence. And of course, it was ultimately God that was drawing these brothers to himself. And And they remind us throughout this chapter what they had once done to their brother Joseph. And that's how we should read this chapter. You'll see that bit by bit, step by step, he brings them to a greater sense of their guilt and of God, of whom they had thought very little of since they had sold Joseph. So many things in this chapter would remind them of those events two decades ago. So here we see that Joseph's plans are going in such a way that Benjamin is ultimately brought into a terrible situation and that ultimately may lead him to slavery. And the reason is obvious. He wants to discover their brother's true feelings for Ben. Would they, with one accord as they once had before, leave him to himself, to his own devices? Did they have a hidden envy for Benjamin as well as they did for him once, all those years ago? And given the right circumstances, would they be willing to sell out their brother as well? He, in his younger days, would have wished that his brother were his friends, but they treated him like an enemy. Doubtless, Joseph would have given his family, of course, food, enough to survive. He was not going to punish the little ones back home for their father's sin. But he did desire to see a true change in them. And that would be good for all. He has the steward put the silver cup into the sack of Benjamin. The steward is a good servant and he does what Joseph commands, not knowing the full picture. And I think it's sometimes a rule for us too. We don't always know what our earthly masters want. And of course, we don't sin. Sometimes things may not make a lot of sense, but we do obey him as far as it is possible. And once again, the silver is also returned, as before, in every man's sack. And why? Well, perhaps Joseph does want the brothers to know that Benjamin is not a real thief, but this was a setup. And he was only looking for an excuse, of course, to have Joseph detained. But he did not want the brothers to think or suspect that he would be really guilty. His desire was to see him defend his brother and not suspect him of a crime. Or, once again, it could have been a reminder of the money that they once had traded, the 20 pieces of silver, when he was sold into Egypt. With corn in their sacks and a wonderful meal the night before, which was so unusual and amazing, they left, no doubt, with a sense of cheer and relief. Benjamin, whom their father had very reluctantly sent away, was with them, Simeon was free, and what else could go wrong, right? In a few days, they all would be back home, enough food to feed the whole family, and dad would be overjoyed. There's a lesson in it for us, isn't it? Some of our most dreadful days start out great and wonderful, And we always should be aware that we are in the God's hands and times change. You know, seasons change. We even see that this year how things have changed suddenly. Who would have thought of that? So we ought to be aware of that. That we are not caught unaware or over much sorrow about a changing season. But we hold to the one who tailor makes each day for us. Whether it be glad or joyful. or filled with grief and sadness. So not far out of the city, Joseph said to the steward, you know, you go after them and ask them, you know, why have you rewarded evil for good? You know, ingratitude, it infects all of us, I think. Most of all, through the author of all good in our lives. James speaks about that every good gift comes from God above. It's one of those sins, when we see it in others, we kind of cringe at it, right? If you see ingratitude, it's kind of cringeworthy. But let us all be aware of the sin in our own life. The sin of ingratitude. We just read about it in the psalm. It's a reoccurring theme in the psalm very much to be thankful. And the Apostle Paul talks about being thankful in all seasons even. Before we judge other people too harshly. Then he says in verse four, is not this, and with my Lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing. The steward did as Joseph had told him. He repeats the word and he acted the part of a man that was very offended and upset, outraged by this deed. When it says, divine it, we should not understand that Joseph was somehow participating in the local trade of divination. because we have the evidence that he plainly told the Pharaoh many times that God reveals secret, the baker, the cupbearer, and so on. And he exposed all the diviners, all the people who were doing occultic practices or just plain frauds. He exposed them all. In Egypt, it was a habit where people would pour oil in a cup He put a few drops of water in and the way the patterns flow They would read them and tell the future kind of like, you know Reading tea leaves or cards things like that but yet the brothers Sorry Nevertheless, we ought to be careful that we don't use sinful devices even as a pretense which Joseph seems to do here now Calvin disagrees with me. He really thinks that Joseph had sort of taken up the practice of divination. And I don't see any evidence of that. There's no written account of that. So in verse 6, we see the steward do exactly what the master had asked. And of course, he was participating in a false scheme and accusing him of something that they did not do. But he must have thought that Joseph had their good in mind, even though he did not know all the particulars. In verse 7, he said unto them, Wherefore have my Lord said these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing. So the brothers' happy journey came to a sudden end with an accusation. And they were, of course, indignant. They were, you can imagine, they were somewhat outraged. Now, these brothers as we have come to know them so far in the book of Genesis, are no saints to say the least, right? Their whole lives were were lived in sin. They were liars, cheaters, rapists, deceivers, murderers. They would have murdered their own brother almost, covered up their crimes. They were sinners against God and their father. So, in short, these are not the type of guys you would want to have moved next door, probably, or worse. It's not the phone call you want to get, Paul, when they say, well, what time does your service start? You know, they were rough bums. And those are the sins that are written down, right? Not every detail of their life is written down. But let us be thankful that they are written down. Because they're written down for our good, and for our benefit, and for our holiness, and for the good of the church. But to this crime they were indeed innocent. And they had not done these things. They were falsely accused. Now here's an interesting lesson too for us, isn't it? Even though these guys have much sin on their hands and literally blood on their hands, they use strong language of denial. God forbid! Why are you saying these words to us? They say. Far be it that we would do such a thing. And that we would be so wicked to steal the cup. after shown such kindness. Oh yes, they abhorred the thought now that they would do such a thing. And that they would abuse such kindness shown by the Prime Minister with such a wicked deed. They had stolen Joseph's life 20 years before. They had stolen Joseph from his father, of course. But oh no, God forbid that we would steal a cup. And it's interesting that all of us will abhor the thought of doing certain things, and might think to ourselves, well, I'm incapable of that, while ignoring much greater sins we have actually done. So let us always remember that, one, the sins by grace that we've been kept from. Two, before we accuse others that we have dealt with our own sins in the eyes of God, we've repented of them before we start accusing others. 3. And although you have repented of your sins, you must not think it the worst thing ever when you are thought of to be capable of other sins. Perhaps God humbles us that way when this sort of situation comes our way. How do we react when those close to us accuse us or express certain suspicion? Your nature has plenty of corruption left, has it not? One person famous had come to Spurgeon. It was a lady, I think, and she said, I know something about you that isn't very nice, Mr. Spurgeon. And he said, oh lady, I'm much worse than you think I am. There's plenty of wrong in me. I remind myself of a story that my brother once told me with his kids. One of the kids said, well, so-and-so hit me with a 2x4. And he went, did you hit Johnny with a 2x4? And they denied it. But after a bit of an investigation, it was with a 2x6. Right? So they were technically right. But so it's kind of like what these brothers are doing. And of course, we can defend ourselves when we are imputed of something we did not commit. But we have to do it with grace, knowing that we have committed great sins and are capable of doing that. Sin is much closer than we think. God told Cain, sin is right at the door. It's close to you. Do you believe that? The Puritan John Owen used to say that the seed of every sin lays in our heart. Oh, how good it is to understand the sinfulness of our own heart. It will cause us to walk much more carefully and catch and cut the very beginnings of sin. much better than if you do not walk circumspectly. And that's a great word that the King James uses. It means careful, guarded. It gives the idea that you kind of look around where you walk. You're like a soldier. You're just not walking really nearly everywhere. You're circumspectly. You're careful. And if an occasion of accusation arises, let us remember that meekness, when provoked, has rarely made things worse. It usually makes things better. In verse 8, they make such a defense for themselves and say to the steward, you were there, basically, so you were there when we brought back the money that we found in our sacks the last time. If we were thieves, why would we bring our money back? That doesn't make any sense. So far, they did have an advantage that in this narrative of them going back into Egypt, they had been honest with Joseph and his staff. And they could point them back to that. And indeed, it would not make much sense for them now to steal the cup. Once they have had already had an opportunity to keep the money they had in their sacks the last time. In verse 9 we see them all with great confidence making kind of a rash vow or a rash promise that whoever it's be found will be killed and will be your servants. It was a quick vow that followed and was done in haste and we ought to be Be careful with that when we do that. They should also have known that even, especially if you look at their history, that one of them could have been capable of a sin. But they were so confident that none of them in this case would have done it. And also knowing that what happened last time, of course, with the money returning into their sacks, they should have been more mindful about making any promises. In verse 10, the steward said, let it be according as you have said, but only with the one whom the cup is found, not with the rest of you. Thereby, of course, he's furthering the setup, the plan. So Ben would be the thief and the sole slave left behind. He will not punish the innocent with the guilty. And let us also never take advantage of a word rastly spoken, maybe by a neighbor or a friend, and place them in needless bondage. And for ourselves also, that we have maybe promised things in haste that we cannot keep, that we are again circumspectly when we make promises or commitments. So that they make haste to take their sacks down and of course they did. They were quite eager to get out. They were full of indignation and they would prove this nonsense and go home and get it over with. Once again, as they had done by the supper, you remember, where they were seated from the youngest to the oldest. They started the same way. They started at the oldest. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, and so on. And one by one their sacks were opened. You can imagine, even though they were confident, it was probably a bit of an unnerving situation for them as they were nearing the last a couple guys, Issigar and Zebulon. And then it was Ben's sack that was open. They thought, okay, then we can get out of this country. Of course, then the silver cup was found in his sack. And you can just feel with them that sinking feeling. Can you not? That sense of dismay and sorrow and unbelief that this is even happening. Ben, not Ben, they would say to one another. Their day of joy had turned into sadness and they rent their clothes as a sign of utter grief and helplessness and frustration. What would they do now? God has stopped their happy journey, as he does stop us too sometimes, does he not, when he converts us and brings us to himself? But they have yet to fully confess their sin to the great leader of the land, Zabnath-Pania, the revealer of secrets. Would they leave Benjamin and Seder goodbyes and go on? Maybe they thought, oh, well, the rest of our families need food. Let us just go our way. Sorry, Ben. But we have our own to look after. And after all, the steward has suggested that to them, too. So they had a way of escape. Would it be shown to Joseph that they really had not changed much and that they would not intervene for their younger brother? Last time, when they had a family deal like this, with the youngest brother, things have gone very differently. Only Ruben and Jacob had rent or clothes. And when they had sold Joseph, they sat down for a meal and were glad their hearts were hardened. You wonder if they thought it to be a coincidence that now they were in a similar position. The youngest was almost going to be a slave. And you wonder if they thought this would be a setup. Is this a coincidence? And now they're all in a pickle. They're helpless. And just like Joseph, rent. Clothes are rent. And seemingly, there is no one to help. See how God is bringing these rough and well-seasoned sinners to himself? So what do they do? Verse 13 says that at that time, sorry, they all went back into the city and that they would intervene for Benjamin. This time they did do the right thing. This time they did think of their aging father back home, the one that they had not thought about 20 years ago when they laid out their plan. This time with one accord, they wanted to do what was right and not leave their brother alone. And it would prove to Joseph that they were not what they once were. So once again, God is turning these guys around to Joseph. Like God turned you and me, if you're a believer here. He turns us around in however He wants, in what way He designs the different plans for each one of us. But He turns us from our path leading away from God to His Son, the Lord Jesus. Some of us, He moves to a different country, like me and many other people I know, to be converted. Others through sickness. Others through loss of jobs. And always, of course, through an awareness of our own sinfulness before a holy God. And I need to have that sin removed if we ever hope to have a right relationship with Him. In Genesis 44 verse 14, And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph's house, for he was yet there, and they fell before him on the ground. When once again they are in the palace, Joseph is still there, perhaps somewhat dreadful for them, but yet in a way comforted him as they had spoken with him at length before and thought they could perhaps intervene for Benjamin. No doubt, it would have been a happy sight for Joseph to see all of them come back. They didn't leave his beloved brother behind. They were getting closer to be redeemed. Even though they were still not aware of who this man was. Once again, in that verse, in verse 14, they bow before him. Now this is the third time this has happened, just as the dream had predicted. The first time was in Genesis 43, 28, where they kind of give them a slight bow. The next time, in the last chapter, it says they bowed themselves to the earth. Now, and what a beautiful picture this is of a sinner coming to his senses, and think of the prodigal son, for instance. They throw themselves to the earth, and gone was their self-confidence, their boastful plans, their wicked deeds. They are now totally at the mercy of the ruler. They are desperate. They throw themselves before him and, as it were, say, have mercy, have mercy, forgive the deed that was done. This passage reminds us what John said when he saw the glorified Lord Jesus in the book of Revelation. You can read it in chapter 1, but I'll read a few verses. Revelation 1, 17. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not, I am the first and the last. I'm he that liveth and was dead, and behold, I'm alive forevermore. Amen. And have the keys of hell and death." Now Joseph still keeps up the act, the facade, for at least for some time and asks him, why have you done this? Don't you know who I am? Don't you know what I'm able to do? Have you not heard the gifts that I have, that I'm able to discern the times? Joseph is still testing his brothers, see if they may buckle under a bit more pressure as they are about to speak for themselves. And for a time he puts on a stern face and is eager to see what they will say to him. And Judah speaks for them all. And Judah said, what shall we say unto my Lord? And what shall we speak? Or how shall we clear ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of thy servants. Behold, we are my Lord's servants, both we and he also of whom the cup is found." And of course, Judah could hardly accuse the governor there in this place of the land of setting up the scheme. But he might be kind of understanding, especially in light of the last time what happened, that this was the case. But at first glance, it looked like all the evidence that Ben indeed was the guilty one. And he says, what can we say? How shall he justify himself? Now the last part of Joseph's dream is fulfilled. Remember how they once told him, do you really think you'll have dominion over us? They mocked him and they laughed him to scorn. And now they say, we are the Lord's servants. They are offering themselves up to be Joseph's servants. And is this not a great statement, that last verse, verse 16, of a sinner coming to God? He is saying, I have nothing to say. We are done for. Our sins have been found out. Forget about that particular sin that they were accused of here. Because Judah knows that God, because he brings God into the picture once again, that has found out the iniquity of all their sins. No excuses are made. but a promise of service and ownership. Is this not how God brings people to himself? We read in the New Testament many times where people will, or in the Old Testament too, where people refuse God and they won't have him rule over us. This will not be our king. The Jews yelled out, let his blood be upon us. But in sovereign grace, God draws the sinner to himself in circumstance of life and through the gospel. And like these guys, We are sinners. We're sacks full of sin. And we know that God has searched them out. As believers, now, just like Judah, we say, here we are. Use me as you please. We are your servants. We present our bodies, a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Perhaps you have not turned around yet. Still moving away from God. And you would not turn to the one the Lord has provided, the Lord Jesus. Turn to our greater Joseph. Verse 14 said he was still there in the house. opening and waiting for to receiving these guys. I would urge you, if you're outside of Christ, to go to him with your sins, your sacks full of sins and repentance, with the eyes of faith to do work on the cross. Jesus said, he that comes to me, I will in no wise cast out. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you that throughout your Word, we have just many examples how you draw people to yourselves. Lord, we ask you for, first of all, for ourselves, Lord. That you would, each and everyone here, whether we're young or old, Lord, draw us to a saving knowledge of the great Redeemer. The one who shed his blood on the cross so that people could be saved and forgiven, have a right standing with God. Father, and if we are believers, that we, if we once again burdened by sin, that we would not turn away. But that we would confess, Lord. That we would make it right. That we would repent, Lord. Father, would you help us to see that? Lord, if we've been believers for a long time, that we can be thankful how you draw us to yourself. That we would look back and see, The amazing hand of God in our own lives. Lord, that we could honestly praise you and thank you for it. In Jesus' great name we pray. Amen.